New from the Niagara Regional Native Centre
Organizers hope the entire southern Ontario community will join in on Oct 3 when the annual Pow Wow takes place at the Niagara Regional Native Centre, in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.
The event will feature aboriginal dancers in traditional regalia as well as traditional food and craft vendors and educational opportunities.
This year’s theme is “Honouring our Sisters in Spirit,” to raise awareness of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in Canada. We also want to Honour our Women in our community who stand strong in supporting and empowering others.
The event begins at noon with the Grand Entry, which involves elders carrying the eagle staff and veterans, as well as flag carriers and dancers from tiny tots to senior citizens, dressed in full traditional regalia. There will also be native drum groups from across Ontario.
The main Pow Wow closes with a Retiring of Flags ceremony at 5 pm, then from 7 to 9 pm there will be a smoke dance competition, followed by an open-mic evening session featuring popular local band Low Animal.
More than a colourful pageant, the Pow Wow is an important celebration meant to enlighten not just the native community but residents from all across the community.
Organizing committee member Darcy Belanger said the Pow Wow is a gathering where First Nations communities better understand their culture and learn to perpetuate it.
“We have a lot of natives in urban settings who know very little about their culture,” said Belanger. “This is really all about networking, about getting in touch with our elders. Hopefully by bringing these people to the native centre, it helps them get more involved with the native community.
“But it’s also a great chance for the non-native community to come out and meet us, learn more about our culture and what we’ve gone through, and hopefully to be more supportive.”
The Pow Wow takes place Oct 3 at the Niagara Regional Native Centre, at 382 Airport Road near the intersection of Queenston Road, in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Key Details:
Name: Second Annual NRNC Traditional Nurturing Our Roots Powwow 2015 honouring Sisters in Spirit
Address: 382 Airport Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Time: Grand Entry is at Noon, the Powwow is expected to last 4 or 5 hours.
A Traditional Powwow is a gathering of Nations in the style of First Nations people where a host community invites people from other communities to celebrate and share in their culture.
There will be traditional Aboriginal drumming, singing, dancing, food and craftspeople. There are a number of traditional protocols that need to be observed but the MC and volunteers will advise the attendees on how to observe these protocols.
This is a rain or shine event and seating is only provided for elders and invited guests so we suggest that you bring a chair and be prepared to enjoy a great celebration.
This is also a drug and alcohol free event.
For more information on the Niagara Regional Native Centre visit http://www.nrnc.ca/index.asp .
Visit Niagara At Large at www.niagaraatlarge.com for more news and commentary for and from the greater bi-national Niagara region.
(NOW IT IS YOUR TURN. Niagara At Large encourages you to share your views on this post. A reminder that we only post comments by individuals who share their first and last name with them.)
Niagara At Large 